66 



HOW TO .UDGE A HOESE. 



same useless waste of power, affecting, not only 

 muscles and sinews, but also attacking tlie joints 

 considerably. Such horses also cover very little 

 ground. The high knee action originates from too 

 great length of the cannonbone in comparison to 

 the length of the fore arm, and has nothing in 

 common with the really beautiful high step-out of 

 the shoulder, which, being supported by an 

 energetic motis^e power of the hindquarters, will 

 do its best for the safety and roominess of the 

 action. 



Finally, we have to view the movements from 

 front and from behind and to observe, whether the 

 legs cover each other and are brought forward in a 

 straight direction. 



The examination of the hoof is of the utmost 

 importance, but it is beyond the limit of this little 

 treatise to go into details. Bo it said only that it is 

 the more important to look for a sound hoof, if the 

 horse is to be used on hard pavement. A brittle, a 

 flat or a contracted hoof, in this case, disqualifies 

 an otherwise good and serviceable horse. 



It is likewise impossible to discuss the numerous 

 blemishes on the joints, bones, etc. If in 

 consequence of irregularities in the structure, 

 defects on the limbs have made their appearance, 

 and in such places, which apparently in consequence 



